Flash-light apparatus.



D. O. SHOBERG.- FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1912.

Patented May 27, 1913.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

vwwtor, I

D. 0. SHOBERG. FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 7, 1912.

1,063,075. Patented May 27, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTAT s PATENT- ora ion.-

pavm c. snonnao, on storm c'rrv, Iowa FLASH-LIGHT APPARATUS. v u

1 ,063,075. Specification of Application ma June 7, I912, Scghil No.702,247,

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID C. SHoBEno, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sioux City, in the county of Woodbury and vious Patent,Number 970,358, dated tember13, 1910.

State of Iowa, have invented certain neW' and useful Improvements inFlash-Light Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to improvements in flashlight apparatus for use inconjunction with photographic appliances or eras, said improvementsembodying certii'im fea tures' of construction set forth in ep- Theinvention comprises certain novel flashlight firing mechanism adapted toc0:

operate with a camera whereby the powder which is confined within-ahood, or coveringfmay be fired by me'ans'of spark metal ignitionoperated from without said hood, and in such a manner as to permit ofany number of flashes in'rapid-succession without removing the flash orallowing the smoke to escape from the hood, as well as working saidflash simultaneously, or in perfect unison with the shutter of thecamera. While under certain conditions it is desirable to retain thesmoke within the hood above mentioned, it is, on the other hand, ver'ynecessary,'inv order to obtainv best results, that it be expelled aftereach flash, and this is easily accomplished by employing my form ofcollapsible hoodby means of which the smoke is forced out instantly inan ad- Letters latent.

the hood, by shaking it briskly, the trans-' parent cloth will strikeand rub against the back of the hood, sifting the ashes through thefront cloth and thereby removing the dirt and smoke, and efi'ectivelyclarifying the apparatus for subsequent use. This feature isparticularly desirable from an economical standpoint, since, under usualconditionsiher'einbefore mentioned, in previous ,constructions th'eaccumulations of this sediment inthe hoods afteria few exposures reucesufiicient light, must be doubled in order to penetrate the ashes, whilein my device the amount of powder used doesnot vary in the least.

Still a further advantageous feature of my construction is subserved inthe use of a peculiar form of circuit closer adapted to be operated by apressure bulb to close an electric circuit which releases the sparkinging. so reduced as to require a minimum curable that it can be tunedwith the shutnumber ofmachines can be operated in perfect unison forphotographing purposes of large convention halls, of the like, whereseveral machines are required, and, this without the use of an electricspark and without interference of smoke.

' With the above and other objects in view,

combination and arrangement of parts,'all as hereinafter more fullydescribed, claimed, and illustrated. in the accompanying draw.- ings, inWhich i Figure'l is a perspective View of the ihood having the coveringfor the front of the contained therein; Fig. 2 is 'a side elevation ofthe frame for supporting the hood; Fig; 3 is an enlarged detail view inrear elevation'of the firing mechanism,- with the casing inclosing partsthereof broken away; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view, on t echines of'this nature, but in my apparatus,

line 44 of Fig. 3: Fig. 5 is a front view of on the contrary, when theoperator collapses mechanism for firing the flash, friction berent, andsaid closer being made so adjust:

Patented May 27,1913.-

-guires that, the amountof powder to proter of any kodak-or camera andthat any this invention consists of the construction,

same'broken away to more clearly show the position of theflashlightlfiring mechanism the flash pan, partly broken away to showthe sparking wheel; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the circuitcloser for operating the electro-magnet; Fig. 7 l5! a rear elevation ofthe hood, showing the sliding door therein; Fig. 8 is a detail view,partly in section, showing more clearly the means for connecting thesections of the hood standard. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the lowerportion of the flash powder feeding' tube; and Fig. 10 is an enlargedview,

of the supporting member for said tube.

Throughout the fo lowing detail description and on the several figuresof 'thedrawings, similar parts are referred to by like referencecharacters.

Specifically describing my invention, and referring to the drawings, anapparatus constructed in accordance therewith comprises 'a hood A whichis supported in extended position by means of a frame constructedsimilarly to that disclosed in my previous patent above mentioned. Thehood and apparatus hereinafter disclosed is adapted to be supported byany conventional vertically adjustablestand, the standard 1 of-whichterminates at its upper end, in a socket member 2 in which are locatedthd clamping plates 3, said plates being held in the member 2 by meansof screws, or similar fastening'imcans 4.

The frame for holding the hood consists of the conv ning bars 5 and 6,the bar 5 being vertically disposed and having secured at its lowerextremity the tapering plug 7, which is adapted to be inserted when theapparatus isinoperative position, in a socket member 8 conforming to theshape of the plug, saidinember 8 being integrally formed with aflattened portion which 1s adapted to be received between the clamp ingmembers 3 and adjustably secured therebetween by means of a thumb-screw9. By means of the construction thus described, the apparatus may betilted into any desired position by relievingthe pressure of the ad-'justing screw 9 and again tigl'itening the same when properly adjusted.

As shown in Fig, 2 the collapsible frame supporting the hood is held inan extended position by means of the-center spread bar 10 which ispivotally secured to the vertical bar, or standard 5, intermediate itsends and slidahly connected with the bar 6 by means of the sleeve 11. Asin my former patent, when it is desired ,to collapse the hood. orapparatus, forv purposes of transportation and folding into convenientsize, the bar 10 is pulled upwardly, thereby bringing the bar 8 intoposition parallel with the bar 5 and having the spread bar 10 interposedtherebetween. Tot'urtl'ier economize space, I have constructed this bars5 and 6 in sections as indicated at 12, which. may be de tached from thelower portions of the bars 5 and 6. 'According to my construction, saidbars 5 and 6 have riveted at opposite sides thereof, the plates 13 whichextend upward a suitable distance and have pass ing therethrough athumb-screw 14. The sections 12 are slotted at their lower ends andadapted to be inserted between the plates 13 and over the thumb-screws14 and the latter then tightened so as to effectively hold the sectionsin position. The transverse bars 15, located at the top and lowerportions of the bars 5 and 6, support the hood, as in my previouspatent, and a translu'cent, or porous covering 16 is secured over thefront of the hood, as shown in Fig. 1 ot' the drawings.

Describing specifically my flashlight firing mechanism, at a suitablepoint above the center spread bar 10 is located a collar, or socketmember 17 secured to the bar 5, into which is removably placed thesupporting member 18 attached to the rear portion of the elongated.flash pan 19. Said pan 19 is of Lsh'apc form in cross section, thisspecific shape being most desirable in order that the flash may bespread, will hereinafter more clearly appear. Secured to the portion ofthe flash pan 19, as by means of the screws. or similar fastenings, 20,iii a casing 20 within which is located the clocklike mechanism forcontrolling the sparking, or i rnition, of the flash powder. Saidmochanism consists of a gear, or click wheel 21', y

-wall of the pan 19 and in the lower portion of said bracket the oposite end of the shaft 22' has its bearing. 2 key 26 is secured to theouter extremity of the shaft 22' and passes outside of the casing 20 andthe rear wall of the hood so that the mechanism may be wound without thenecessity of opening the hood in any way. The inner end of the shaft 22carries the friction, or -spark. wheel 27 which is located. on the innerside of the rear wall of the pan 19 adjacent the bottom. of the latter..The rougheiieth'or serrated, pcri hery of the wheel 27 contacts with aspar; metal 28, or similar substance, pro jecting from the bottom of thepan 19. The igniter 25 is adjustably licldiutirui contact with thewhcel'Z? by means of a coil spring contained within the screw-tap C9threaded in the pan 19 bcncaththe wheel, said cap being adapted to bescrewed 'hpwardly as tea nonstop? meshesswith the gear elementlid-carried by the transverse.shaftv 31, and adjacent said elcmentO onthe shaft just mentioned is provided a ratchet wheel 32.

At 33 is designated a conventional .form of elect-ro-magnet securedwithinthe-casing 20 by means of the screws 34, said mhgnetbeing'provided with the armature 35 pivoted at its lower extremity,asindicated at 36. At a. suitable point on the armature 35 is a lug 37which is normally in engage ment with the ratchet wheel 32 holding thesame against movement in an obvious manner.

The means for operating the flash mechanism will now be described.

The electro-magnet 33 is connected in the electric circuit leading fromthe single cell, or battery, 38, the terminal of one of the wires 39being connected with the casing 40" of the .circuit closer 4-0. Thecircuit closer lO is located at the terminal of the branch tubing 41,communicating therewith, as shown in Fig. 3, and with the main tube 42leading to thehand operating bulb 43. The other branch of the tubing 4:1leads to the shutter of the camera, which is conventionally shown" inthe drawings amides ignated by the numeral 44. Within the'casing of thecircuit closer i0 is slidably, mounted a plunger 45 WlllCll is adaptedto I be moved by the air pressure transmitted from the bulb 43, againstthe coil spring 46 interposed between one end of said. plunger and theclosed end of the casing 40. Insulated from and extending a suitabledistance within the casing 40 is a contact pin 47 having an adjustingnut '48 threaded thereon, by means of which the pin may be projectedfarther within the casing or withdrawn therefrom as desired, Theterminal of the othenwireof the circuit 39 is con- 'nected with the pin47by means-of the nut 4.8 and it'will be obvious that by screwing thepin 47 in o out,'electric connection with the plunger .rday be madesooner or later, thus providing, a simple andmost' eflicient means fortuning the connection in perfect unison with the shutter of the camerawhich is operated simultaneously by pressure of the bulb 43. Theparticular purpose of this tuning will-be apparent when itis consideredthat a number of flash apparatuses may be operated by the single meansabove described and on accountof the varying dis tancesfrom theoperator'it is desired that the contacts for operating the sparkignition-be made at somewhat different inter vals, or made moresensitive.

In order to supply'flash powder charges to the pan without opening thehood or d sturbing the mechanism, 1 provide a suitable metallic feedingtube, or pipe, 49 whlch extends through the'rear portion of the hood andis preferably flared at its inouth to facilitate pouring of the loosepowderthere into. The opposite end of the pipe as is out on diagonallyfor the purpose which will appear hereinafter, and said tube is adaptedto be inserted in the supporting member 50 which is suitably secured tothe rear wall of the pan 19 by means of the screws. or like l'nstenings,51.. As will be rated, this supporting member 50 holds the tube at anincline and when loading the flash, the powder passes downwardly therethrough until it, is caught by the curved springplate 52 secured at itsupper portion to the inside of the rear wall of the pan 19; The tube 49has provided thereon at its lower portion a lug, or projection, 53 forinterlocking with the angular slot 5% in the supporting member 50When'the' tube is partially rotated in one direction. When all is inreadiness for the charge to be set i the latter slightly so thatthe'po'wder falls;

into the bottom of the pan is; The ouliar form and location of the plate52 acts as a spreader for the powderso that the same isadvantageouslydistrihutedin the pan asrnost desired for the purposes ofthis apparatus. .l Vhen the tube 4-9 is released.

the plate 52 has ample resiliency to force back into itsinitial positionand the next charge'may be inserted whendesired, haid plate effectivelyclosing the. opening to prevent the flash from passing outthe tube ortli permitting the smoke to escape from the hood through the passagethus provided.

The "operation of igniting the flash will he briefly set forth.

When the apparatus, or hood, has heen set at the desired angle, thecamera properly adjusted, and the powder placed in the pan as aboveescribed, the operator presses the bulb 43, simultaneously operating theshutter 44 inithe customary, manner and forcing "the plunger 45 to closethe electric circuit in perfect unison therewith. The electro-Inagnet 33draws the armature 35, when the circuit isi-thus closed, from-engagementwith'thc'ratchet wheel 32, which al- .lows the action of the spring 23to cause rotation through the gearing of thefricllii um wheel 27 againstthe spark metal 28,

instantly setting off the'powder and firing the charge contained in thepan. Releaseiof the pressure permits thte armature to agaihi engage thewheel 32 and the operatr ay; proceed to-rccharge the apparatus for asecondfiash. This may proceed for numerous exposures, the "smoke beingefi'ectively retained within the hood until the operator removes theapparatus from the room, 'or

olulcrl and hcmluhcforc clisclosed.

huililiog, expulsion of the smoke taking plsco'whcn the hood isinseriecl Within the howl owl tho spread ha: 16 is moved upu'm-iilyheretofore described, forcing the smoke out of tho hoocl as Well ascleansing lhc nmizu'slus of the ashes, similar to ths.

action of bellows,

'ln order that ready access may he videcl for the operator 'co collapscthe hoocl, I employ aclouolc luyer lfor the rear portion of th. lioocl.said layers being slilchecl to 3 as shown by the dotted linesdesignulccl :"cs A. slil, in the outer layer permits ihc insertion ofthe sliding door 5? between 'ahc folds of tho two layers, curl ccrlsiureinforcing wires, also shown in dolled lines, are employed for thepurpow of holding the door tightly against the 09cm ing in the coveringand pro-vesting escsocof lhc smoke flier-"clinic.

it will he'un zlersloocl that the door 57 PiilVll'llBil. Willi openingsthrough wljziclz. lhc tubs "l3 smiths key 26 may exlciul, heretoforeiufcrrscl.

l'u my former oulenithe hood was not proviclsil with covering; for ihefront, 21? in iheprescnt csse, lhis cove-ring providing c superiordevice for the purposes COIllZGIII- liming; thus (lescribeo thoInvention" What clsimcil new is: 1... in photographic ilssh li :h'lapparatus, 51 hooi'lHulspted to hold smolxe incident to firing; oil ailzish lherciu, ssicl hood comprising; pivoted, sides, a spreadingmember normally holding the hooil eiilcndcd and opcrshlc lo collapsessicl hood, whereby the smoke uloresziicl may be expelled from theliooal.

in u hood :1

of ingg pivolscl, sides,

photogrsph c llssh lighl; apparatus, l hold smoke incident to i-crein,ssiil hoocl comprissprcaqliog member pivconucclccl to ouc side of ssiclhood "ably counseled with its opposiie movcmcnl, of spreading; lcollopso tho hood forcibly tic smolo: iherci'rom, l1] photographic "1light spsuraus,

ma. L

col ussi ole iii-closing .-.z.oocl adapted to hold l sucks incident tofiring of u ilush therein,

52 spn oiling; member connected with dis oppositc sides of sum hood. andoperable lo collapse tho some to permit the scicl sides in limp and rubeach other when shaken, whereby the residuum of powdor from the flashmay be cxgellecl from the llOOfl.

l, In phiilogi'sgphic ilush light apparatus, :1 collapsible hooclsdcpl'ccl to hold smoke inchlem lo firing of o, flash therein, scirlhooii comprising inc-losing sides one of which is composed of "f0ominous material, a sprcsdiug: somber pivotally connected with the'ssiclforaminous material to thereby PIQ- hood, ussuiong s smoke-tight the,opposific sides sand normally holding the S5 hood. extended, said memberbeing operable to collapso llffo' hood and. permit the sides thereof toflop and rub against each other when shaken, whereby the rcsiiluum ofpowderirosu the flash may he siftedthrough cleanse thelstter.

5, Flash light apparatus comprising a pan, feeding means for supplyingiowcler to the pan, and the. resilicntmem or 017 checking the flow ofpowder nto the pan and operable by the feeding means to release a,supply of powder, said member be. ing adopted lo return the feedingmeans to initial operative position, I 6. Flash light apparatuscomprising a pan, a feeding tube for supplying flash pow- (let to saidpan, and a resilient member adapted to check the flow of powder throughthe tube aforesaid and operable thereby to admin and sprcupl a charge ofpowder onto thc'psn, said member normally closing the tube to preventthe flash from entering the some.

7. Flush light apparatus comprising o, pan, means for feeding flashpowder to the pun, ignition moans foi firing the powder, operatingmechanism for said ignition means, an cleccro-magnet, an armaturetherefor pivomlly mounted adjacent the opcrating mechanism and-arrangedto movenormslly into engagement thclswith to prevent movement of theopcraiing mechanism, and means for cliscugugicg the armature from thesuicl operating mechanism and cause ignition of the flush powiiei',

8. Flash light apparatus comprising c pan, means for ceiling andspresing the flash powder onto the pan, a friction Wheel mounted in thepan, on ignilcr scljustchly held in confirms with the friction wheel, aspring controlled shaft on which suicl Wheel is mounted, a ratchetwheeloperutively concooled with the shs'ft slorcssicl, an electric circuitincluding an electro-magnct adjacent I the ratchet wheel, on asumturefor said mognet normally engaging the said ratchet Wheel, a circuitcloser in iihc electric C11- cuit, and an operating bulb for operatingthe circuit closer, whereby nrnmture is dls 1L5 w c cl' l "t vt l 1--ccn a c no! em -1 u icc an due n' c tron Wheel and igm-Lcr sporlas tolllB lhes Flash powder.

In photographic flashlight amssratus, the combination oils hood, meansfor firing 1520 flash light in suiclhcozl, the hood. comprising acollapsible structure including a sills of formninous inatcri 1 wherebyon collu ising the hood, the residuum of the flash. powder may heiorcecl through said foraminous msten'ul to clear the same.

10. In a flush light apparatus, the coinhination with mesus for allsasli lightl 1,063,0 5 v v I 5 of :1 hood adapted to house said meansto confine the smoke fesulting from the flash light, said hoodcomprising a side of 'foraminous material and also comprising meanswhereby the residuum of the flash powder used for flash light purposesmay be sifted forcibly through said foraminous material to clear thelatter.

y In testimony whereof I a'fiix my signature In presence of twowitnesses.

DAVID c. SHOBERGJ \Vitnesses:

D. G. MULLAN, ANNA WI GDAHL.

